2014 NFL Conference Championship Games

Sunday, Jan. 18

Seattle Seahawks 28 vs. Green Bay Packers 22 (OT) (NFC; FOX)

The Seahawks and the Packers met in the playoffs for the first time since 2003 on Sunday afternoon. During that contest, the two teams went to overtime tied at 27. Seattle got the ball to start sudden death, but Matt Hasselbeck threw an interception that was returned for a 52-yard touchdown by cornerback Al Harris to end the game. This time around, the Seahawks battled back from a 12-point fourth quarter deficit, sent the game into overtime, and won when Jermaine Kearse made a 35-yard touchdown reception. Russell Wilson threw four interceptions, but he rebounded with a strong finish. Wilson went 14 of 29 for 209-yards. He also ran for a score and became the first quarterback, since George Blanda back in 1961, to win a postseason game despite throwing four interceptions. The Seahawks special teams added a touchdown of their own. On a fake field goal, punter Jon Ryan threw a 19-yard scoring pass to offensive tackle Gary Gilliam. Marshawn Lynch ran for 157-yards on 25 carries and scored from 24-yards out. Aaron Rodgers completed 19 of 34 passes for 178-yards and a 13-yard touchdown strike to Randall Cobb.

New England Patriots 45 vs. Indianapolis Colts 7 (AFC; CBS)

In the rain of Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots opened the floodgates on the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots erupted for a string of 31 unanswered points en route to their sixth AFC Championship under head coach Bill Belichick. New England will face Seattle in the Super Bowl in two weeks. Both teams met in the playoffs for the second straight year. For the second straight year, running back LeGarrette Blount was the catalyst. In last season’s Divisional playoff game, Blount gained 166-yards on 24 carries and scored four touchdowns. When his number was called on Sunday night, he responded by rushing for 148-yards on 30 carries and found the end zone three times. Tom Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 226-yards and three touchdowns. Andrew Luck completed just 12 of 33 passes for 126-yards and threw a pair of interceptions. T.Y. Hilton only made one reception and the Colts were held to just 209-yards of total offense.